This morning on the commute by car died suddenly sitting in a turn lane. didn't sputter, just turned off. I tried restarting for about 5 minutes while drivers around me got pissy (rightfully, it was rush hour). All lights on (except CEL!), cranked fine. then after 5 minutes it started right up and I drove off. First time this has happened.

After scanning the forum, looks like CPS is likely culprit, relatively easy DIY and only $56 on autohaus.

my question is: what is the likelihood this is something OTHER than the CPS? Should I go ahead and order it or should I take it to the shop (or call my mechanic) for diagnosis?

Bad part is that there is no CPS testing possible, unless you have laboratory equipment.
Good part is, that CPS cost less than $100 and is less than 1 HR job.

Plus 3. On those symptoms you'd be hard pressed to find someone familiar with these cars that would suggest anything besides the CPS, unless of course they have a boat payment due and you have a particularly gullible look.

But ONE HOUR to do this job? I did it in 15 minutes in the parking lot at work...and that includes the time it took to take some pictures. Hardest part is that it's largely a "by touch" job and you don't want to drop the screw that holds it in. If you can change a spark plug you can do this job; ohlord talked a single mom and her son through it. Just reference the primary DIY as well as the one I did about making it easier to locate, they are both in the DIY sticky. If you want to branch out from the seemingly-buggy bosch, diyautoparts.com sells the Hella brand, or at least they used to. I found that after I'd already ordered a bosch, would have gone that way if I'd known. In any event, don't source it from an unknown supplier, such as ebay. You're likely to get a good price on a used and cleaned up unit or a cheap knock-off.

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy; its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. (Winston Churchill)

drove the car yesterday, got stranded three times (!). yeah I'm not too bright sometimes.
First time, happened while driving, pulled over, sat 90 sec, started, drove off.
Second time happened at 4 way intersection, pushed the car to nearby parking lot. shopped for awhile, didn't start, went for coffee, came back. started (after about 2h cooldown). drove another 2 miles and stalled at another busy intersection. pushed to the gas station, got towed home (flatbed).

while waiting for the tow truck, got out my code reader, told me CPS was bad. so I went from 99% sure to 100%.

I have ordered the Bosch from autohaus - I have the one clip model which I didn't see in Hella at diyautoparts. I will need to get a torx socket as I can feel I have the external type.

Greg is correct again. Thanks for the previous posts and helpful photos - I went right to it and hopefully will have no problem installing the new one.

Even though it's a $60 part instead of a $10K blown engine, doesn't take away the embarrassment of being stranded in an intersection. People zoom by in clunkers and give you sneers because your German engineering is kaputt.